News

Assuring Space Access Without Russian Interference

3/17/2014

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The Defense Department will reassess the use of
Russian-made rocket motors for launch of US military satellites after rising
tensions over Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine has raised questions
about the long-term viability of that supply chain, Defense Secretary Chuck
Hagel told members of the House Appropriations Committee’s defense panel on Thursday.
During the same hearing Michael Gass, president and chief operating officer of United
Launch Alliance, said the US has a two-year supply of the motors and has spent
“hundreds of millions of dollars to prove that we have the capability to
demonstrate our ability to build that same engine.” During a House Armed
Services Committee hearing Friday, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said the
partnerships should be reviewed. Elon Musk, owner of Space Exploration
Technologies Corp., which has been trying to break into the launch business,
told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense panel on March 5
that, “It would make sense . . . for the long-term security interest of the
country to probably phase out the Atlas V, which depends on the Russian engine,
and have ULA upgrade the Delta family.” That, combined with SpaceX’s Falcon
rocket, would give “the Defense Department assured access to space,” added Musk.